Council lobbies for increased RABC funding

Council authorized Mayor Chris Warwick to send a letter to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade to request that funding for the Rural Alberta Business Centre be continued and enhanced to pre 2017 levels as the program has substantial impact on both economic and entrepreneurial development in rural Alberta. The Government of Alberta initiated Rural Alberta Business Center Program since January 2012. Their mandate has a number of facets, including encouraging and supporting attraction, retention and growth of small business and entrepreneurship, identifying and communicating business opportunities, ensure broader reach of support services and facilitating regional cooperation and collaboration among small business service providers. CAO Kim Neill told council at the meeting that the RABC offices offer coaching, training and networking opportunities for rural Albertans to start, grow and prosper in successful sustainable businesses both in person and through technology. The Evidence Network conducted a survey in 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to determine the impact of RABC on business operations. They determined that 92 per cent of respondents felt their ability to manage their day-to-day business operations had been positively impacted. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents said that their ability to strategically plan for long-term business success had been improved, while 86 per cent had a better ability to attract new customers. Seventy-four per cent of respondents attributed positive impact on the ability to increase annual sales revenue. Overall, Neill said, the Evidence Network forecast the future impact o the RABC program as $9.1 million in revenues between 2017 and 2019. Neill noted that the program had successfully delivered resources that assist, mentor and develop entrepreneurs who want to start, build, expand or sell their business in Alberta. Additionally he noted that increased focus has been on supporting Albertans in transition from the energy sector, oil and gas and coal mining industries. Neill noted that the budget for the program, which has already proven to be highly successful, was reduced by 50 per cent in June 2017. Neill said this caused the RABC to re-evaluate their services and offerings for the region. Council agreed that it was important for the Town of Hanna to advocate for continued and enhanced funding levels to a minimum of pre-2017 levels in their letter. jirwin@postmedia.com